Malcolm did not have to look down at Sheona to know she was nervous. He could practically feel her trembling beside him. He couldn’t blame her. His father was a formidable and unpredictable man and she, his enemy’s offspring, was about to meet him. Worse, she was his daughter by proper marriage and could not be used for any kind of retaliation against the MacLeod.

They waited on the battlements as the riding party approached. MacDonald war banners flapped in the wind, as the steady pounding of hundreds of hooves grew louder. His pulse kept time. Sheona drew a shaky breath and leaned into him when his father drew closer, a fierce scowl on his face.

“All will be well, lass. He cannot harm you now.”

“Aye, he can. He can harm my kin and that would be just as bad as if he had inflicted the pain directly onto me.”

He supposed what she said made sense. He would not wish to stand by as any of his clansmen met their end. His father passed the gatehouse and dismounted in a fluid movement. His stride was quick as he took the steps three at a time to join them high above the bailey.

“What is this?” he asked as soon as he came alongside them.

Sheona shifted closer to Malcolm and he instinctively placed his arm around her.

“This is my wife.”

“I know that much, Malcolm. Rest assured, I have more loyal to me within these walls than you.”

“Then you know I took her from Bracadale and only later learned of her identity.”

“Aye, I know that too. What I do not ken, is why you thought I would ever approve of you marrying this MacLeod filth.”

Malcolm bit down hard on his cheek. He could read his father so well sometimes. By the way his gaze flicked down over her curves, his intent was clear. Despite his hate-filled words, he wanted her for himself just as Malcolm had suspected.

“Whether you approve or not is irrelevant, Father, as she is my wife in every sense.”

His father’s face turned red. “You’ve bedded the whore already?” He stepped close to Sheona, who paled. “If ye think to kill us in our sleep, lass, you will have to be more clever than any of your kin.” He grabbed her arm. “Perhaps you can warm all our beds instead.”

Sheona gasped as Malcolm pushed her behind him. “She is my wife and will only bed her husband. I will slay any man—any man—who dares lay a finger on her.”

“Is that so, lad? As your father and chief, I may claim anything of yours or of anyone who has pledged fealty to me. And there isn’t a power around that can oppose me.”

Malcolm stepped closer to his father and glared hard into his eyes. “You may be laird and chief here, father, but know this, no one will lay a finger on my wife. Are we understood?”

He watched as his father gritted his teeth. Would they come to blows over his new wife? He hadn’t thought that through, but he knew with certainty, he would spew his last breath protecting her.

After an age, his father’s grimace slackened off and he stepped back. Malcolm did not think for one moment that it meant he’d yielded. No, he would bide his time and come after them from a different angle, and Malcolm would be ready for him.

“Take your whore to your chambers and bed her until you can no longer walk for all I care. And if your cock falls off from her filth, you have been duly warned.”

As he strode away Sheona gasped. “Your father is every bit the rotten beast I always thought him to be.”

Malcolm turned her toward him and gave her a penetrating stare. “Hear me wife, stay as far out of his line of sight as possible. Do you understand?” He hoped to God that she did.

She nodded. “Aye, I will stay away from him, but the better question is will he stay away from me?”

“There is no one I trust more than Keith. I will make sure he is with you whenever I am not. You will be safe, Sheona.”

“I cannot believe I am saying this, but I do trust you, Malcolm. I will stay out of your father’s way. But you need to know that I will not stand by and watch my clansmen be tortured.”

“You will do nothing to interfere with my father or his guards, Sheona.” He must impress upon her how dangerous it was. “If you try to free the prisoners, you will be killed, but not before my father ensures you have experienced every degradation known to man. I cannot make that any plainer for you. I will return you to our chamber. You must stay there until I return for you once more.”

She frowned. “Where are you going?”

“To find out exactly how many of your clansmen my father captured and what he intends to do with them.” Malcolm stepped past her and held out his arm. “Come, let me get you safely tucked away before you draw even more unwanted notice.”

They walked in silence to their chamber—his chamber. Sheona paused outside the one she’d slept in the night before, the same one in which they had consummated their marriage just hours ago.

“Do you hear that?”

“No, what?”

“Weeping. I heard it last evening as well. Do you have another sibling up here?”

Malcolm shook his head. “No, there’s no one up here at the moment.” A niggling thought played at the back of his mind, but he pushed it away. ’Twas not possible after all this time.

* * *

The heavy door closed and a lock clicked. Sheona flopped down on the large four-post bed and stared up at the dark green canopy. How had everything turned from foul to fair and back to foul again? She was not displeased with her husband, not at all. Though their union had occurred quickly, she understood all too well she could have fared far worse.

Moments later, the door swung wide and several maids entered, including a stern-looking elderly woman. She frowned at Sheona and set the linens on a side bench.

“Lady MacDonald, I am Agnes,” she said, her voice rough. “We were told by Lord Malcolm to see to your needs and fit you for clothes.”

This was not what Sheona expected. She’d wondered what she would wear past today, but hadn’t expected a new wardrobe forthcoming.

“I thank you Agnes. ’Tis very kind of his lordship to provide for me.”

“Aye, well I am certain that was your design when you set about to ensnare him.”

Sheona couldn’t believe her ears. For a servant to say that kind of thing to a lady was unheard of. At Dunvegan, Agnes would be duly punished.

“You speak out of line, Agnes. As his lordship’s wife you will pay me the respect I am due.” Sheona placed her hands on her hips and waited.

Unfortunately, Agnes’ outburst had an effect on the other maids as well, for they all ceased their tasks of setting the fabric for her new gowns and watched the exchange. Sheona had to set things right from the start or she would never be able to get them to do anything.

She waited for Agnes to respond.

“Well?”

“What passes here?” Keith said from the doorway.

“Naught, my lord,” Sheona was quick to say. Whatever was between her and the servants would stay between them and she was not the type to go above anyone’s head to earn respect. She could very well do that on her own. “Agnes and the other maids were explaining that my husband has asked them to fit me for new gowns.”

“Is that so? Well then I shall wait outside and leave you ladies to your business.” He smiled at her, and Sheona wondered how many lasses had fallen prey to his dimples.

“I thank you, my lord,” Sheona said. “I feel safer already.”

When the door closed, an awkward silence befell the chamber. Just before Sheona was about to break it, the soft laughter she’d heard that morning in the blue room permeated this room as well. This time Sheona was determined to locate the source.

“Blessed be,” Agnes said. “It is not possible.”

“Who is that?” Sheona asked. “I’ve heard both laughter and weeping within these castle walls since I arrived last evening and I cannot locate the source.”

“You heard both?” Agnes asked. She clasped Sheona’s hands. “Please tell me what you heard and when, my lady.”

My lady? Clearly there was something more to the weeping and laughter than Sheona had realized. Agnes’ demeanour had completely turned around.

“Last night after I was brought into the blue room, I heard weeping once I was abed. Then this morn, when his lordship and I . . . returned to that chamber . . . I heard laughter. Since the laird has returned I’ve heard weeping again, and just now laughter. I do not understand what it means.”

Agnes released her hands and placed her own on her face. “She has returned.”

The other maids gasped. “The White Lady?” one of them said.

Agnes nodded. “Aye, the White Lady. She has been absent from these castle walls for two years. It is said she is a former lady of the castle and foretells of good and bad fortune. It is a warning when she weeps, and joy can be expected when she laughs.” Agnes looked at Sheona with wonder in her eyes. “She has never been known to do both. You have brought much change with you, lass. I apologize for my outburst before. You will have no trouble from me or anyone else under me.”

Sheona wasn’t sure she heard anything else Agnes or any of the chatty maids said. Her mind turned the information over. A ghost who foretold of troubles or triumphs? What did hearing both signs mean? Why did the White Lady weep when Sheona first arrived, but laugh when she and Malcolm had consummated their marriage? And why weep when she passed the room?

Sheona’s head throbbed after an hour of fittings and musings, trying to figure out what it all meant. When Keith knocked on the door much later she was attired in an old gown belonging to Malcolm’s mother that had been adjusted for her. She loved the square neckline and gold stitching along the hem. The green velvet brocade was luxurious to touch.

Keith opened the door and gasped. Sheona watched as his gaze went from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. A playful smile rested on his lips.

“You are stunning, Lady MacDonald. I believe my cousin will be pleased with the results, Agnes. You and your maids may go. I am to escort Lady MacDonald to the great hall for the evening meal.”

Sheona looked at the window and only then realized how low in the sky the sun had sunk. A knot crept into her belly. She must face the laird again and she really did not think she was ready.

“Fear not, Lady MacDonald. Your Malcolm will be by your side the whole time, and I will be on the other. No harm will come to you.”

With that as the only comfort she could cling to, Sheona followed Keith out of the chamber, a soft weeping following her the entire way to the great hall.